New Central Library Updates

The long-awaited design for a new Central Library was announced during a Forsyth County Board of Commissioners weekly briefing session on November 13th. The new building will offer 103,000 square feet of flexible space, a 17,000 square feet increase over the old Central Library. Also part of the new design is a cafe/coffee bar.

Architects also revealed plans for a Makerspace, following a popular trend in public and academic libraries across the country. In short, Makerspaces are dedicated areas in libraries where people can gather to make and create. Makerspaces bring people together to share supplies, skills and ideas while working on projects. Often this includes innovative technological features such as 3-D printers and the like.

Customers of our North Carolina Room and Children's Department will not be disappointed with what's in store for them in our new building as both areas will offer more efficient and easier accessed space than before.

Two features that stand out immediately with the new design is the openness of the interior, with clear sight lines and the generous use of natural lighting. Another feature is the large 305 seat auditorium which will have a separate entrance off of Spring Street making it ideal for use after normal Library operating hours.

As you enter the new Library from Fifth Street the architects have planned a beautiful lawn space and outdoor reading garden that will provide quiet places for customers to sit and read and more usable space for programming during warm weather months. Taking advantage of a natural ridge-line that the new Library will sit upon, there are plans for a third floor reading room which will offer wonderful views of Wait Chapel and Pilot Mountain.

Pre-construction testing is scheduled to begin shortly, laying the groundwork for demolition of the 1952 front section of the old library and the stripping away of the back portion starting in January. Completion of the project is scheduled for the first part of 2017.